Butcher & Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #1) by Brynne Weaver 🎧 Joe Arden & Lucy Rivers

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Every serial killer needs a friend.

Every game must have a winner.

When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of a like-minded, pitch-black soul. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country. But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?

Butcher & Blackbird is the first book in the Ruinous Love Dark Romance trilogy of interconnected stand-alone dark romantic comedies. This dual POV novel ends on a HEA.

I had an absolute blast reading Butcher & Blackbird and definitely plan on continuing the series! Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers did a phenomenal job bringing these characters to life, and I loved watching Sloane and Rowan’s relationship grow over the years—both romantically and as friends. What starts out as a game for them slowly becomes the thing they look forward to most each year—and not just for the hunting and stabbing (though that definitely helps).

I actually started this one last year, but my hold expired before I could finish it. The wait was so long that it didn’t pop back up on my Libby until just a few days ago. At this point, I might as well put myself on hold for the other two books in the Ruinous Love Trilogy, because I’m sure their wait times are just as long. Next up is Leather & Lark, followed by Scythe & Sparrow. I adored Lark’s character in this one and am excited to see how her relationship with Rowan’s brother develops. The ending of Butcher & Blackbird makes it seem like they might not like each other very much—frenemies, anyone?

Back to Butcher & Blackbird, there was one part of the story that really threw me off. There’s a scene where Sloane is at a disadvantage with a target, and the logistics just didn’t fully make sense to me. She notices someone following Rowan and decides to intervene, but the next few minutes of the audiobook were really hard to track. I couldn’t quite tell how she ended up in the predicament she did. She’s falling (falling where, exactly?), lands next to a black leather jacket that’s never explained, and then suddenly she’s being taken somewhere. I listened to it twice and still couldn’t piece it together.

Sloane and Rowan have amazing chemistry, and I loved their banter. They tease and challenge each other, slowly building trust over time. Neither of them is inclined to open up easily, given their baggage and backgrounds, so when they finally do, it feels hard-won and beautiful. They’ve found their person—someone who truly understands who and what they are. Someone who doesn’t try to rein them in or change them, but accepts—and even loves—that side of them, too. 

Definitely keep this one in mind if you’re a fan of dark romances! I also did not see that twist at the end coming. Well played, Weaver. Well played. (★★★★☆)